Taking a creative approach to recovery in Ballymena

At the launch of Hope Market and Hope Creative in Ballymena are Connor Smith, Manager of the Housing Executive's Social Housing Enterprise team, Adele Winning, Project and Social Enterprise Manager at the Hope Centre, and May Anderson, Chairperson of the Hope Centre Committee. (Submitted picture)

Published:11:10Updated:12:24Wednesday 25 April 2018

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A community organisation in Ballymena is using funding from the Housing Executive to benefit individuals recovering from addiction, as well as their families.

The Hope Centre, also known as Ballymena Family and Addicts Support Group, provides services to people with experience of drug and alcohol addiction, as well as support services for their carers and families.

Included at the launch of Hope Market and Hope Creative at the Hope Centre in Ballymena is the Mayor of East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Paul Reid, with (L - R) Pauline Clary - artist, Professor Karen Fleming - Head of School at the Belfast School of Art, Eoin McGinn - artist, Caitlin Carleton ('CeCe') - artist, Jonathan Hodge - Hope Centre, and Debbie Fraser - Belfast School of Art.

It received £8,100 funding from the Housing Executive’s (NIHE) Social Housing Enterprise Programme, which gives financial awards to social enterprises that are based in or serve Housing Executive communities.

The funding has helped to develop two social enterprises - Hope Market and Hope Creative.

Hope Market sells high quality crafts and textiles made by individuals recovering from addiction and graduates from Ulster University’s School of Art.

Hope Creative offers arts workshops and creative design services to community and voluntary organisations. The services will be delivered by art graduates on a freelance basis and supported by volunteers with an interest in visual arts.

Hope Centre service users at the launch of Hope Market and Hope Creative in Ballymena along with Connor Smith, Manager of the Housing Executive's Social Housing Enterprise team, with Adele Winning, Project and Social Enterprise Manager at the Hope Centre, and May Anderson, Chairperson of the Hope Centre Committee.

Profits from both projects will raise revenue for the Hope Centre’s core services such as counselling, group work, one-to- one support, and education and training.

It is anticipated that the projects will create three freelance opportunities and one part-time position, with many more individuals receiving training towards future employment.

Hope Centre Manager Jonathan Hodge said: “The funding from the Housing Executive has helped to turn our plans for a creative industry into reality, and a huge number of individuals and groups will benefit. Through Hope Market, recovering addicts can explore their creativity while learning new skills and producing sellable products.

“Hope Creative allows us to provide much-needed services to community and voluntary organisations. The workshops and training we deliver allow people of all ages and backgrounds to try something new, create something worthwhile and interact with others in a positive way. The ultimate beneficiaries of the projects are those individuals who need our services – individuals recovering from substance and alcohol abuse, and their families.”

Included at the launch of Hope Market and Hope Creative in Ballymena is Robin Swann MLA, Connor Smith, Manager of the Housing Executive's Social Housing Enterprise team, with Adele Winning, Project and Social Enterprise Manager at the Hope Centre, Mayor of the East Antrim Borough Council Councillor Paul Reid, May Anderson, Chairperson of the Hope Centre Committee, Paul Frew MLA and David Ford MLA.(Pictures submitted).

Paul Carland, manager of the Housing Executive’s Social Housing Enterprise programme said: “We fully support The Hope Centre’s plans to open an arts and crafts shop and provide creative services to the local community. Their efforts to involve service users and people who live in the community show that they are committed to developing their social enterprise projects to help others, while generating income. It is clear that the Hope Centre’s projects will have far-reaching benefits and we wish them well in the future.”